FEMA expands disaster aid for extreme weather events, citing climate change

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is expanding eligibility for government assistance following extreme weather disasters, citing the impacts of climate change.

The agency on Friday announced changes that seek to make it easier for more Americans who face damage to their homes or businesses to get federal funding in the wake of a disaster.

On Monday, FEMA published its interim federal rule in the Federal Register and included climate change as a reason for the aid expansion.

“Climate change has elevated the need for the delivery of efficient disaster services and increased the need for … assistance,” it said. 

“In response and in a step towards equity, the regulatory changes in this rule seek to add efficiency in the delivery of assistance to survivors by simplifying processes, removing barriers to entry, and increasing eligibility for certain types of assistance under the program,” it said.

The interim rule particularly noted that coastal areas face “repeat flooding, and storm surges.”

Under the rule, FEMA will expand which disasters are eligible for immediate cash assistance and will also create a new “displacement assistance” program to cover short-term housing for disaster survivors who cannot return to their homes.

It will also help to cover costs for survivors with costs that are not covered by their insurance and remove a requirement to apply for loans from the Small Business Administration before being considered for some types of assistance.

The changes made by the agency broaden which homes are eligible. The aid will now cover repairs for homes that previously had conditions like leaky roofs and will help cover the costs of accessibility improvements for disabled survivors.

It is also reducing the paperwork needed for late applicants, those seeking temporary housing and those seeking to repeal a prior decision. 

In a press release, FEMA said that changes were based on “direct feedback from survivors.”

“The limitations on federal assistance have frustrated survivors and delayed recovery for far too long,” Administrator Deanne Criswell said in a written statement. 

“From quickly providing assistance to people who become displaced to simplifying the application process, we are delivering on President Biden’s commitment to empower individuals and communities so they can rebuild their lives faster after a disaster,” she added.

The changes are expected to take effect for disasters that take place on or after March 22.